Shakur was born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members. Raised by his mother, he relocated to Baltimore in 1984 and to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. With the release of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, he became a central figure in West Coast hip-hop for his conscious rap lyrics. Shakur achieved further critical and commercial success with his follow-up albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) and Me Against the World (1995). His Diamond certified album All Eyez on Me (1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap. In addition to his music career, Shakur also found considerable success as an actor, with his starring roles in Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), Above the Rim (1994), Bullet (1996), Gridlock'd (1997), and Gang Related (1997).
During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, including incarceration. In 1995, Shakur served eight months in prison on sexual abuse charges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction. Following his release, he signed to Marion "Suge" Knight's label Death Row Records and became heavily involved in the growing East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times by an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival, the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud, but was also murdered in another drive-by shooting six months later in March 1997 while visiting Los Angeles.
Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, all of which have been certified Platinum in the United States. In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Shakur among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, in the East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City. While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur. He was named after Túpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, Túpac Amaru, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after his failed revolt against Spanish rule. Shakur's mother explained, "I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood."
Shakur had an older stepbrother, Mopreme "Komani" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior.
How Long Will They Mourn Me?
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, this for my nigga Kato
It's still on nigga, believe that
We live a Thug Life, Thugs for Life
Yeah (how long will they mourn me?) we handle this shit for you, boy
Yeah, nigga
2Pac in this motherfucker
Tears in everybody's eyes
Niggas cried, to mourn a homie's homicide
But I can't cry, instead I'm just a shoulder
Damn, why they take another soldier?
I load my clip before my eyes blurry, don't worry
I'll get them suckers back before your buried (shit)
Retaliate and pull a one-eight-seven
Do real niggas get to go to heaven?
How long will they mourn me? Bury me a motherfuckin' G
Bitch don't wanna die, then, don't fuck with me
It's kinda hard to be optimistic
When your homie's lyin' dead on the pavement twisted
Y'all don't hear me doe, I'm tryin' hard to make amends
But I'm losin' all my motherfuckin' friends, damn
They should've shot me when I was born
Now I'm trapped in the motherfuckin' storm
How long will they mourn me?
I wish it would have been another
How long will they mourn me?
How long, will they mourn my brother (half them niggas all dead and shit)
How long will they mourn me?
I wish it would have been another
(Dedicated this to Kato nigga, and every thug)
How long will they mourn me?
How long, will they mourn my brother
How long will they mourn me?
Every motherfuckin' day homie
You stayed down when the other niggas didn't know me
From my heart to the trigger, you my fuckin' nigga
And things won't be the same without ya, nigga
I remember kickin' back, you wanted a 'llac
And goin' half on a motherfuckin' hundred sack
Smokin' blunt after blunt, and steady drinkin'
Hung around so much, you knew what I was thinkin'
Tell me Lord, why you take Big Kato?
So confused not knowing which way to go
I'm goin' crazy and runnin' out of fuckin' time
I can't take it, I'm losin' my fuckin' mind
So day after day, ride after ride
We'll hook up on the other side
Watch over your family and your newborn
'Til we meet again, homie
How long will they mourn me?
I wish it would have been another (Big Kato)
How long will they mourn me?
How long, will they mourn, my brother (it's still on, nigga)
How long will they mourn me?
I wish it would have been another (yeah)
How long will they mourn me?
How long will they mourn, my brother (rated R, Double Jeopardy, MAC-10)
Damn, a nigga tired of feelin' sad
I'm tired of puttin' in work
I'm tired of cryin' watchin' my homies leave the earth
I know soon one day I'll be in the dirt
And my peoples'll be mournin'
When they get a call from the coroner
All niggas can say is, "That's fucked up"
And get tossed up, reminiscin' how we grew up (my nigga)
Rest and love to my nigga Kato
See you in the crossroads real soon
For now let me pour out some brew
I'll be always thinkin' of ya, homie
Rest in peace, how long will they mourn me?
We know life's a fuckin' trip
And everybody gotta go
But why the fuck it have to be my nigga Kato?
Another nigga fell victim to the chrome
It's enough to make you crazy, it's fuckin' with my dome
You only live once on this earth, a nigga had it bad
Since the day, of my motherfuckin' birth (uh)
But niggas say they down and they always be my homie
But when a nigga gone, how long will ya mourn me?
(Yeah) I wish it would have been another (MAC-10 in this motherfucker, yeah)
How long will you mourn me?
How long, will they mourn my brother (Thug Life boy, Nate, blowin' that shit)
I wish it would have been another (Nate Dogg do that shit nigga, yeah)
How long will you mourn me? (This for my nigga Kato, and all his kids)
How long will they mourn, my brother
How long will you mourn me?
I wish it would have been another
How long will you mourn my brother?
The lyrics to 2Pac's "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" is a soulful tribute to his deceased friend Kato. The emotions underlying the lyrics of this song are sorrow, mourning, and a desire for vengeance. Pac raps about the loss of his friend and the unfairness of his sudden and violent death. Pac uses his music as a way of expressing his rage and grief towards the person who took his friend's life. He talks about his pain at having to face the reality of Kato's death, and his inability to help but wish that he had never left us.
The song's title "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" questions how long his friends will mourn him after he dies. The song's themes of life as a "fucking trip" and the inevitability of all people of having to leave this earth sooner or later are also highlighted. The lyrics convey a sense of fatalism - that death is a part of life, and that one must accept it, no matter how tragic.
The song ends with Pac's musings about the uncertainty and sadness of life, and how it is ultimately a journey that ends in death, but also in memories of the people we have lost. "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" is a fitting tribute to Kato, a close friend of Pac's, and a reminder to all of us of the fragility and preciousness of life.
Line by Line Meaning
How long will they mourn me?
Pac wonders how long his friends will mourn if he dies.
Yeah, this for my nigga Kato
This song is dedicated to Kato.
We live a Thug Life, Thugs for Life
Pac affirms that he and his friends live a thug life and that they will never change.
Yeah (how long will they mourn me?) we handle this shit for you, boy
Pac promises to handle things for Kato.
2Pac in this motherfucker
Pac announces his presence in the song.
All my homies drinkin' liquor
Pac's friends are all drinking in honor of Kato.
Tears in everybody's eyes
Everyone is crying because Kato is dead.
Niggas cried, to mourn a homie's homicide
Pac's friends are crying because Kato was murdered.
But I can't cry, instead I'm just a shoulder
Pac is there for his friends and is supporting them emotionally.
Damn, why they take another soldier?
Pac is angry that another one of his friends has been killed.
I load my clip before my eyes blurry, don't worry
Pac is getting ready to retaliate against those who killed Kato.
I'll get them suckers back before your buried (shit)
Pac will get revenge before Kato is even buried.
Retaliate and pull a one-eight-seven
Pac plans to retaliate and commit murder in revenge for Kato's death.
Do real niggas get to go to heaven?
Pac ponders whether his violent lifestyle will prevent him from going to heaven.
How long will they mourn me? Bury me a motherfuckin' G
Pac wants to be buried as a gangster and wonders how long his friends will mourn him after his death.
Bitch don't wanna die, then, don't fuck with me
Pac warns people not to mess with him if they don't want to die.
It's kinda hard to be optimistic
Pac finds it difficult to be positive after Kato's death.
When your homie's lyin' dead on the pavement twisted
Kato's death is a gruesome and traumatic experience for Pac and his friends.
Y'all don't hear me doe, I'm tryin' hard to make amends
Pac is trying to reconcile with people and make positive changes in his life.
But I'm losin' all my motherfuckin' friends, damn
Despite his efforts, Pac feels like he is losing all of his friends.
They should've shot me when I was born
Pac believes that he was destined to die a violent death.
Now I'm trapped in the motherfuckin' storm
Pac feels trapped in a cycle of violence and death.
I wish it would have been another
Pac wishes that someone else had died instead of Kato.
Every motherfuckin' day homie
Pac is mourning Kato every day.
You stayed down when the other niggas didn't know me
Kato was a loyal friend to Pac and supported him before he became famous.
From my heart to the trigger, you my fuckin' nigga
Pac loves Kato like a brother and will always remember him.
And things won't be the same without ya, nigga
Pac feels that his life will never be the same without Kato.
Tell me Lord, why you take Big Kato?
Pac questions God and wonders why Kato had to die.
So confused not knowing which way to go
Pac feels lost and unsure of how to move on after Kato's death.
I'm goin' crazy and runnin' out of fuckin' time
Pac feels like he is losing his mind and that his time is running out.
So day after day, ride after ride
Pac will continue to ride and fight for his friends, day after day.
We'll hook up on the other side
Pac believes that he and Kato will meet again in the afterlife.
Watch over your family and your newborn
Pac promises to look after Kato's family and child.
'Til we meet again, homie
Pac hopes to see Kato again someday.
Damn, a nigga tired of feelin' sad
Pac is tired of feeling sad after losing so many friends.
I'm tired of puttin' in work
Pac is tired of fighting and killing in revenge for his friends.
I'm tired of cryin' watchin' my homies leave the earth
Pac is sick of feeling sad and helpless when his friends die.
I know soon one day I'll be in the dirt
Pac knows that he will die someday too.
And my peoples'll be mournin'
Pac's friends and family will mourn his death when he dies.
When they get a call from the coroner
Pac's loved ones will be notified of his death by the coroner.
All niggas can say is, "That's fucked up"
Pac's friends will be sad and angry when he dies.
And get tossed up, reminiscin' how we grew up (my nigga)
Pac's friends will reminisce about their childhood and how they grew up together.
Rest and love to my nigga Kato
Pac wishes Kato peace and love in the afterlife.
See you in the crossroads real soon
Pac believes that he will meet Kato again at the crossroads in the afterlife.
For now let me pour out some brew
Pac pours out some beer in honor of Kato.
I'll be always thinkin' of ya, homie
Pac will always remember Kato and think of him fondly.
We know life's a fuckin' trip
Pac recognizes that life is unpredictable and difficult.
And everybody gotta go
Everyone will die someday, even Pac and his friends.
But why the fuck it have to be my nigga Kato?
Pac is angry and upset that Kato had to die.
Another nigga fell victim to the chrome
Kato was killed by someone using a gun.
It's enough to make you crazy, it's fuckin' with my dome
Pac is losing his mind trying to cope with so much death and violence.
You only live once on this earth, a nigga had it bad
Pac believes that life is short and that he and his friends have had a hard life.
Since the day, of my motherfuckin' birth (uh)
Pac's life has been difficult since the day he was born.
But niggas say they down and they always be my homie
Pac's friends claim to be loyal and supportive.
But when a nigga gone, how long will ya mourn me?
Pac wonders if his friends will truly mourn him after he dies.
(Yeah) I wish it would have been another (MAC-10 in this motherfucker, yeah)
Pac wishes that someone else had died instead of Kato and announces that MAC-10 is also present.
How long will you mourn me?
Pac again wonders how long his friends will mourn him after he dies.
Lyrics © Regard Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Missing Link Music
Written by: Daryl Rivers, James D. Gass, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Tyruss Gerald Himes, Walter Burns, Warren Griffin, Warren Iii Griffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Agent Bosconian
on So Many Tears - Live
I fear only God and no human being
Even in the face of danger, I will stay strong
I have cried so much and fear that I might die soon
God, please guide me and take me to heaven if I die
I grew up in a sad, and lonely environment and it affected me in a gravely manner
I was abandoned; all alone and grew up in a community that was doomed to fail
My mind was greatly troubled and I couldn't be able to find my inner peace
I found solace and comfort in adopting a tough and rebellious lifestyle
Do you understand my pain and sorrow? I don't ever dwell on the past memories
To survive in a dangerous environment, you must react aggressively and quickly; in order to stay alive
I will always remember my friend, Kato. A good friend who has tragically died, and is no longer with us, anymore
I witnessed the day Kato perished on the streets and was calling for help
May Kato, and those who died before him, truly find peace in death
Is there really a place in heaven for a gangster like me? Always think and never forget about me
The friends that I once shared my laughter with; are now buried in their graves in the cemetery. I continue to shed countless tears for them; as I grieve for them
As I face many difficulties in the music industry, I will do whatever it takes to overcome it
People call me greedy and selfish for making money, yet they rarely can see me
I feel like I'm being cursed by the world and havin' disturbing; yet horrible premonitions
I have a fear that I will die and lie inside a coffin on a hearse, and want God's guidance and empathy
I want to escape from the problems, stress and the hurting of life
I yearned; longing for happiness and clarity in my troubled life
I'm trapped in jail and my life is in shambles
I feel like I'm doomed to go to Hell, but I don't know why
I'm in denial about my life, and I'm scared of death
If I go to hell, I will be in eternal pain and cry so much
I'm lost and tired, and I've cried so much
I'm contemplating suicide, so stay away from me
I'm intentionally moving towards death
I'm ready to die, and I feel like I have nothing to live for
The streets were ruthless, and I couldn't find peace
I'm on the verge of breaking down, and I long for peace
I lost my soul and my identity, but I was unaware
I had demons in my mind that were taking over
The demons inside me grew and ignited a fire
My head felt like a bomb ready to explode, it was a nasty game
I have no happy memories, only pain and sadness
I imagine my enemies murdering me in my sleep
I wonder if I'll live to see the next day
I ask God to pardon me for my wrongs as death approaches
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and...
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and cried so many tears
Aliyu
on 'Pac's Life
Nice
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
I am not afraid of anything or anyone other than God.
Even when I am in the darkest of times and places.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
I ask God to guide me and be with me in my journey through life.
Even as a child in elementary school, I found myself attracted to and surrounded by sadness and hopelessness.
I was abandoned and grew up among a generation of people who were doomed to fail.
My mind was constantly struggling, and I could not find a sense of peace or comfort anywhere.
I found a sense of identity and belonging when I got the tattoo of 'Thug Life' on my chest.
Do you understand the struggles and pain that I have experienced in my life?
I am not dwelling on my past mistakes, and if you want to be successful, you shouldn't be either.
In order to defend yourself and your community from violence, you must be the first one to take action. We should never forget Kato, who was killed due to senseless violence.
Kato is no longer with us and has passed away.
I witnessed violent crimes, and I've seen the aftermath of people being killed on the streets.
I hope Kato, and all those who have passed before him, are resting in peace.
Is there a place in heaven for someone like me, who has lived a life of violence and crime?
Remember me and all of my friends who have died and are now buried in the cemetery.
I address God.
I have experienced a lot of suffering throughout my life.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
Now that I am struggling in the music industry.
I will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means being labeled as greedy and only focused on making money.
Even though I am chasing success, I rarely get to enjoy it or be seen by others.
I feel cursed and have a negative outlook on the world.
I am having visions of dying and leaving this world in a coffin.
I ask God if he can understand what I am going through and help me.
I want to be relieved of all the stress and suffering I feel.
I want to experience happiness again, which has been absent from my life for some time.
I feel like I am losing sight of what's important in my life.
I feel trapped in my current situation, and my quality of life is suffering as a result.
I already feel like I am destined to go to hell, and I question where I went wrong in my life.
I am unable to come to terms with my reality.
When I die, I fear that I will be punished forever in the afterlife.
I feel lost and tired.
I have cried so much that I am now having suicidal thoughts, so please don't be near me.
Everything I do feels like a complicated and difficult step.
To bring me closer to what I want to achieve.
I am prepared to accept death at any moment since I feel like I have nothing to live for.
Things were very rough and merciless on the streets.
I was never able to find peace or rest in that environment.
I am close to falling apart and screaming for peace.
Even though I was empty and lost, I couldn't understand or recognize it at the time.
My mind was plagued with negative thoughts and emotions, which were trying to escape constantly.
The negative thoughts and emotions had been planted long ago and have now taken root, and the flame of negativity is now growing stronger.
Just like a match can light a fire, the negative thoughts in my brain can also do the same, causing pain and suffering.
I have no good memories to comfort me, only sadness and suffering.
I am afraid of being attacked and killed by the people who hate me, even in my sleep.
I wonder if I will survive through the night to see the light of the new day?
I ask God for forgiveness for my past mistakes and wrongdoings.
I am trying to face my problems and come out stronger and better.
The Lord knows I have tried my best, and I have witnessed violent deaths in my community.
Drive-by shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives, including innocent children.
I wonder why these tragedies are happening in my community as I walk around and see the devastation.
I am saddened as I look at the markings on the pavement where someone has been killed, and the only way I can deal with this pain is by getting high.
I understand that this isn't the kind of life that I want for myself, and I want to change it.
I want to change my life for the better.
I feel like there is no future for me, no matter how hard I try to change.
I am trapped in the cycle of crime and violence that exists in my community.
I am lost and confused about how to get out of this situation.
The alcohol has influenced me to act more recklessly and dangerously.
I have lost faith and become cynical about life recently.
I have been wanting to have children and start a family.
I want to see a better version of myself in my children, someone who isn't always involved in negative activities.
I don't fully trust my partner because of the negative influence of our environment.
My partner has also been affected by the negative influences of our environment, and I am hearing strange noises because of how paranoid I am.
I am paranoid that my partner is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle the stress anymore.
I am begging God to forgive me and let me into heaven when I die.
I have lost many friends and acquaintances to violence and death.
As a result of these losses, I have cried many tears and experienced a lot of sadness.
I have experienced a lot of pain and suffering throughout my life.
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
The lyrics of Tupac Shakur's song "So Many Tears" explore the themes of paranoia, pain, and death. The first verse of the song presents Tupac's fearlessness of men, but not of God. The rapper then describes his life growing up, where he felt like he was surrounded by misery but found a sense of identity and belonging in the Thug Life culture. He mourns the deaths of his friends, particularly Kato, who was murdered in the streets. Tupac questions to himself whether there is heaven for a "G" and reflects on the many homies who died; that are now in the cemetery.
In the second verse, Tupac reveals his struggles in the music industry, where he feels overwhelmed by the pressure and pain. He admits to being greedy and having a vision of dying young. Tupac requests God to free him from the pain and suffering he experiences in life. The final verse of the song sees Tupac lost, weary, and suicidal. He delves into his struggles with addiction, and he starts to hear voices and experience demons in his mind. Tupac desires to change, but he feels trapped in the game, and he is unsure of his lady's loyalty.
Overall, Tupac Shakur's "So Many Tears" is a poignant song that reflects the artist's tumultuous life and his struggles with death and paranoia. The lyrics also tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the ghetto and the impact that violence and loss have on the psyche of an individual.
Gabriel Benard Cote
on California Love - Original Mix (Explicit)
2 pac is the best